Sheltered housing boards in the south of the Island are considering merging in what will represent a radical modernisation of publicly-funded older persons’ housing.

The boards of Arbory, Castletown, Malew, Port St Mary, Port Erin and Rushen propose the formation of a Southern Sheltered Housing Board, replacing the separate local authority housing Boards of Castletown and Malew Elderly Persons Housing Board, and Marashen Crescent Housing Committee with the newly-formed board having overall responsibility for all sheltered housing in the south.

Having considered the principle of the merger, the boards are now working with the Department of Infrastructure to draft an Order which, if approved, will eventually be recommended for approval to Tynwald.

Hayley Fargher, Clerk to both Boards and lead officer for the merger, said: ‘The process is in the very early stages as we still have some due diligence to do and will be consulting on the draft Order before finalising arrangements. However, I am really excited about how positively the proposal has been received and look forward to it becoming a reality’.

‘The benefits of one regionalised service are obvious both in terms of our existing and future tenants’ needs and wellbeing, and for the good governance and improved service which can be delivered from one joined up service. I am delighted that once again we are able to demonstrate that local authorities can and do work together for the wider benefit of society.’